Cops arrest accused cell phone thieves after victims trick them

Two men who robbed a Belgian exchange student at knifepoint on Feb. 18 were arrested a little more than an hour later in a sting set up by his savvy host family, according to Watertown Police.

Jen Thomas

Two men who robbed a Belgian exchange student at knifepoint on Feb. 18 were arrested a little more than an hour later in a sting set up by his savvy host family, according to Watertown Police.

Jonathan Brown, 19, and Nicholas Schiavo, 21, were arrested and charged with armed robbery for taking two cell phones from the student.

Police said the student was walking home when he saw Brown and Schiavo standing on the opposite side of the street. One of the men grabbed the student while the other held a knife to his midsection. After the men took the phones, they got into a Toyota Camry and sped away.

The student’s host family began texting the phones and set up an exchange where the family would leave $500 in a barrel. Brown and Schiavo showed up at the predetermined location and began searching the barrel for the cash.

Police stopped the two men as they tried to drive away from the location.